Iver Holter
Encyclopedia
Iver Paul Fredrik Holter (13 December 1850 – 27 January 1941) was a Norwegian composer
. He was conductor and music director of the Oslo Philharmonic for a quarter century.
Iver Paul Fredrik Holter was born in Gausdal
, Oppland
, Norway. His parents were Caspar Georg Holter (1812–1880), a minister and Caroline Theodora Børresen (1818–1857). He spent his adolescence at Gjerpen
in Skien
, where he received violin lessons from Ferdinand A. Rojahn
. He had originally studied medicine but by 1876, he changed career paths to become a musician. He first studied music with Johan Svendsen
and afterward in Leipzig
(1876–79). He continued his music studies in Berlin
(1879–1881).
In the autumn of 1882, he followed Edvard Grieg
as conductor for the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra. In autumn 1886, he became as music director and conductor of the Oslo Philharmonic, a position he held for 25 years. Holter suggested the founding of a city orchestra which could play at municipal festivities, concerts and in the theatre, and as a result of this, the orchestra gained municipal support from 1889.
Holter became a central figure in the city's musical life. In 1890 he founded the Oslo Bys Orchestra, and he was conductor for the Music Association (Musikkforeningen) in Oslo for a quarter century. During the period 1900 to 1906 he edited the music magazine, Nordisk Musik-Revue. In 1912, he was one of the founders Norwegian Musical Artists' Society (Norsk Tonekunstnersamfund).
Holter composed piano music, songs and choral music, including a series of cantatas for various major and minor events. As a composer, he followed the classic-romantic ideals. His numerous compositions include a symphony, string quartets, a violin romance, cantatas, songs and choral pieces. Most notably, he wrote music for Goethe's Götz von Berlichingen and the orchestral work St. Hans Kveld.
He was buried in Vår Frelsers gravlund
in Oslo
, Norway.
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
. He was conductor and music director of the Oslo Philharmonic for a quarter century.
Iver Paul Fredrik Holter was born in Gausdal
Gausdal
Gausdal is a municipality in Oppland county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Gudbrandsdal. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Segalstad bru...
, Oppland
Oppland
is a county in Norway, bordering Sør-Trøndelag, Møre og Romsdal, Sogn og Fjordane, Buskerud, Akershus, Oslo and Hedmark. The county administration is in Lillehammer. Oppland is, together with Hedmark, one of the only two landlocked counties of Norway....
, Norway. His parents were Caspar Georg Holter (1812–1880), a minister and Caroline Theodora Børresen (1818–1857). He spent his adolescence at Gjerpen
Gjerpen
Gjerpen is a former township which is now part of the municipality of Skien, in Telemark county, Norway.-Location:The parish of Gjerpen was established as a municipality January 1, 1838 . According to the 1835 census the municipality had a population of 4,381. Gjerpen was located east of the city...
in Skien
Skien
' is a city and municipality in Telemark county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Grenland. The administrative centre of the municipality is the city of Skien. Skien is also the administrative centre of Telemark county....
, where he received violin lessons from Ferdinand A. Rojahn
Ferdinand A. Rojahn
Ferdinand August Rojahn was a German-born organist, violinist and conductor. He was violin and piano teacher to the Norwegian composer, violinist and conductor Sigurd Lie . Rojahn was a Stadmusikanten in Kristiansand, Norway. He was "orchestra leader" of Musikselskabet Harmonien from 1856 until...
. He had originally studied medicine but by 1876, he changed career paths to become a musician. He first studied music with Johan Svendsen
Johan Svendsen
Johan Severin Svendsen was a Norwegian composer, conductor and violinist. Born in Christiania , Norway, he lived most his life in Copenhagen, Denmark....
and afterward in Leipzig
Leipzig
Leipzig Leipzig has always been a trade city, situated during the time of the Holy Roman Empire at the intersection of the Via Regia and Via Imperii, two important trade routes. At one time, Leipzig was one of the major European centres of learning and culture in fields such as music and publishing...
(1876–79). He continued his music studies in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
(1879–1881).
In the autumn of 1882, he followed Edvard Grieg
Edvard Grieg
Edvard Hagerup Grieg was a Norwegian composer and pianist. He is best known for his Piano Concerto in A minor, for his incidental music to Henrik Ibsen's play Peer Gynt , and for his collection of piano miniatures Lyric Pieces.-Biography:Edvard Hagerup Grieg was born in...
as conductor for the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra. In autumn 1886, he became as music director and conductor of the Oslo Philharmonic, a position he held for 25 years. Holter suggested the founding of a city orchestra which could play at municipal festivities, concerts and in the theatre, and as a result of this, the orchestra gained municipal support from 1889.
Holter became a central figure in the city's musical life. In 1890 he founded the Oslo Bys Orchestra, and he was conductor for the Music Association (Musikkforeningen) in Oslo for a quarter century. During the period 1900 to 1906 he edited the music magazine, Nordisk Musik-Revue. In 1912, he was one of the founders Norwegian Musical Artists' Society (Norsk Tonekunstnersamfund).
Holter composed piano music, songs and choral music, including a series of cantatas for various major and minor events. As a composer, he followed the classic-romantic ideals. His numerous compositions include a symphony, string quartets, a violin romance, cantatas, songs and choral pieces. Most notably, he wrote music for Goethe's Götz von Berlichingen and the orchestral work St. Hans Kveld.
He was buried in Vår Frelsers gravlund
Vår Frelsers gravlund
Vår Frelsers gravlund is a cemetery in Oslo, Norway, located north of Hammersborg in Gamle Aker district. It was created in 1808 as a result of the great famine and cholera epidemic of the Napoleonic Wars. Its grounds were extended in 1911. The cemetery has been full since 1952...
in Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
, Norway.
Selected works
- Bagatellen für das Pianoforte. 1879
- Quartett für zwei Violinen, Viola & Violoncell. 1880
- Vier Gesänge für eine mittlere Stimme mit Begleitung des Pianoforte. 1881
- Til Fædrelandet (cantata, text by T. Caspari). 1895
- Kantate ved den 7de store Sangerfest (text by M. Rolfsen). 1896
- Nürnberg (cantata, text by T. Caspari). 1898
- Kantate ved indvielsen af Kristiania handelsstands forenings nye hus (text by C. Dysthe). 1912
- Kristiania-Kantate (text by T. Caspari). 1924
- Olavskantate (text by T. Caspari). 1930